TRINIDAD: Viagra’ men need to get HIV tested

(TRINIDAD EXPRESS) – Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh says he is concerned that the nation’s men are not taking responsibility and getting tested for HIV.

In fact, he feels particular attention needs to be paid to men over 50 and 60 years old, as they are now more sexually active than before “because of pharmaceuticals”.

“Because gone are the days when they were not sexually active. Men over 50, 60, 70…because of pharmaceuticals… are now sexually active as they were in their 20’s. So we have to go after men in general, in all the age groups,” he said.

Deyalsingh was speaking to the media following the opening ceremony of the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) 7th Meeting of National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners, held at the Hilton Hotel.

“Men, in general, don’t like to get tested because of machismo. Whether it’s testing for prostate cancer, whether it’s testing for HIV, they don’t like to get it done. So what we are thinking about doing is setting up special men’s clinics in the same way in the public sector you have women’s clinics,” Deyalsingh stated.

He raised the same concerns as he addressed attendees earlier:

“It’s nigh impossible for men to take responsibility to get tested. Our men need to be led to the well. And we will have to refocus on getting men’s clinics because women see no problem getting tested. Women are much more responsible.”